World IVF Day 2026
Last updated on 17 Jul 2026
On July 25, 1978, a baby girl was born in Oldham, England. According to media reports, the event was a miracle, a scandal, a scientific breakthrough, and more. Louise Brown is referred to as the first test-tube baby in the world, the first human born thanks to IVF, and the proof that the question that has puzzled scientists for ages: can an embryo be fertilised and be brought to term outside the human body? was answered positively.
From that day on, July 25 is observed as World IVF Day.
Key Takeaways
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Why Do We Celebrate World IVF Day?
What is the significance of IVF Day? Prior to the advent of IVF, couples suffering from obstructed fallopian tubes, severe male infertility, mysterious infertility, and a multitude of other conditions had no chance of having a child.
Today we celebrate three things simultaneously: the outstanding achievement of Dr Robert Edwards and Dr Patrick Steptoe, the bravery of those families whose lives have changed due to the IVF treatment, and the ongoing work of embryologists and reproductive doctors who are carrying out the actions that allow people to hope for happiness in their laboratories once again.
Dr Kamini A. Rao, Padma Shri awardee and founder of Milann Fertility in Bengaluru, who pioneered South India's first semen bank and the country's first ICSI babies over a career spanning nearly five decades, represents the generation of Indian fertility specialists who built the infrastructure that makes IVF treatment in India accessible today and whose training of over 200 embryologists and hundreds of fertility specialists has shaped the best IVF centres in India from the ground up.
World IVF Day also serves as a platform for awareness about infertility as a global public health issue. According to the WHO, an estimated 17.5 per cent of adults worldwide experience infertility at some point in their lives making it one of the most common conditions affecting reproductive-age adults globally.
Who Is the Most Famous IVF Baby?
Who is the most celebrated IVF baby? This title goes to Louise Joy Brown, who was born at the Oldham General Hospital in England on July 25, 1978. The infant weighed 5 pounds and 12 ounces at birth. Her mother, Leslie Brown, was unable to conceive until the doctors Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards employed IVF technology to fertilise an embryo and implant the embryo into her womb.
Louise has led a normal life after childbirth, which is the biggest miracle about being born this way.
What Is IVF? How the Process Actually Works
IVF: In Vitro Fertilisation, literally means "fertilisation in glass." An egg and sperm meet in a laboratory environment rather than inside the body. If fertilisation occurs and the embryo develops, it is transferred into the uterus.
IVF Process Step by Step
Understanding the IVF process step by step removes much of the anxiety around what it involves:
Step | What Happens | Typical Duration |
Step 1: Ovarian stimulation | Hormonal injections stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs | 8-14 days |
Step 2: Monitoring | Regular ultrasound scans and blood tests track follicle growth | Throughout stimulation |
Step 3: Egg retrieval | Minor procedure under sedation, a thin needle collects eggs guided by ultrasound | 20-30 minutes |
Step 4: Fertilisation | Eggs and sperm combined in lab; ICSI (single sperm injection) used where needed | 24-48 hours |
Step 5: Embryo culture | Fertilised embryos are monitored for 3-5 days | 3-5 days |
Step 6: Embryo transfer | One or two healthy embryos placed in the uterus via a thin catheter | 10-15 minutes |
Step 7: Pregnancy test | Blood test approximately 14 days post-transfer | Day 14 |
A full IVF procedure cycle typically takes 4 to 6 weeks from the start of stimulation to a pregnancy test result.
What Are the Causes of Infertility?
Infertility treatment begins with understanding what is causing it. Causes of infertility vary significantly between individuals and couples:
In women: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure, uterine abnormalities.
In men: Low sperm count, poor sperm motility, abnormal sperm morphology, obstructive azoospermia, hormonal imbalances.
In couples, unexplained infertility, where all tests come back normal but conception does not occur, accounts for approximately 15 to 30 per cent of cases. This is one of the most emotionally difficult diagnoses because it offers no clear target to address.
In India, infertility affects an estimated 27.5 million couples who are actively trying to conceive, with lifestyle factors including delayed marriage, stress, PCOS, environmental toxins, and declining sperm counts all contributing to the rising prevalence.
IVF Success Rate: What Does It Actually Mean?
IVF success rate figures require careful reading; most clinics quote per-cycle success rates, not cumulative success rates over multiple cycles.
At what age is IVF most successful?
The cycle-based live birth rate is highest among women in their thirties, with numbers in ranked fertility businesses falling in the range of about 40-50 per cent. The cycle-based success rate decreases to about 30-40 per cent among women between the ages of 35 and 37, 20 to 30 per cent for women aged between 38 and 40, and significantly lower rates after the age of 40.
Data from India indicates that related to IVF service, the modern-day rate of success in accomplished assisted reproductive facilities varies from 35 to 55 per cent for women in their thirties, depending further on the facility in use.
What is a good AMH level for IVF? Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) reflects ovarian reserve. Generally:
AMH above 1.5 ng/mL is considered a normal or good reserve for IVF
AMH between 0.5 and 1.5 ng/mL suggests reduced but workable reserve
AMH below 0.5 ng/mL indicates low ovarian reserve and may require adjusted stimulation protocols
A single AMH result is not the whole picture it is one of several markers used to personalise the stimulation protocol.
IVF Cost in India: What to Expect
IVF costs in India are considerably lower than in Western countries. A single IVF cycle in India typically costs between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh, depending on the clinic, city, protocol, and whether additional procedures are included.
Key cost components include:
Ovarian stimulation medications (₹20,000-₹60,000 per cycle)
Egg retrieval and lab procedures
Embryo transfer
Cryopreservation of surplus embryos (₹30,000-₹60,000 per year)
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) an additional ₹50,000-₹1,50,000 where indicated
Will IVF be covered in 2026?
In India, IVF treatment is not yet covered under most public health insurance schemes. The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) and central government health schemes do not currently include IVF. Some private health insurance plans have begun adding partial IVF coverage, but it remains limited. This means most couples bear the cost out of pocket a significant access barrier that advocacy groups continue to push to address.
Can You Choose Gender in IVF?
One of the commonly asked queries, especially in Indian context, is whether a couple can find out the gender of their unborn infant. The answer is no, as sex selection for non-medical reasons under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act 1994 is banned in India.
Although Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A) determines sex of embryos along with chromosomal abnormalities, clinics are not legally allowed to use this data to undertake sex selective transfer of embryos. However, sex selection is permitted in certain conditions where one parent is known to be suffering from x-linked condition.
Best IVF Centre in India: How to Choose
The right clinic depends on your specific diagnosis, location, budget, and personal priorities. When evaluating a fertility centre, look for:
Transparent, age-specific success rates (not just overall)
Full embryology lab on-site with trained embryologists
ICSI, PGT, and cryopreservation capabilities
Endocrinologists and andrologists access, not just gynaecologists
Counselling support for the emotional dimensions of treatment
Clear, itemised cost breakdown before committing to a cycle
Leading names in Indian fertility care include Apollo Fertility, Nova IVF, Indira IVF, Milann, and Manipal Fertility but smaller independent centres with experienced teams often produce equally strong outcomes. Always ask for outcome data specific to your age group and diagnosis.
FAQs
Q1. What is the theme of World IVF Day 2026?
No single global official theme has been announced. The consistent message from fertility organisations this year centres on Making Parenthood Possible Science, Hope, and You.
Q2. What day is World IVF Day?
25 July every year, marking the birthday of Louise Brown in 1978 the world's first IVF baby.
Q3. At what age is IVF most successful?
Under 35, with live birth rates of 40 to 50 per cent per cycle at leading centres. Success declines meaningfully after 37 and more sharply after 40.
Q4. What is a good AMH level for IVF?
Above 1.5 ng/mL suggests good ovarian reserve. Below 0.5 ng/mL indicates low reserve. AMH is used alongside other tests to personalise treatment one number alone does not determine your outcome.
Q5. Can you choose the gender in IVF in India?
No. Sex selection for non-medical reasons is illegal under the PCPNDT Act. Genetic testing screens for chromosomal health not for gender selection.
Final Thoughts
World IVF Day 2026 is commemorated on 25 July, which is almost 50 years after the birth of Louise Brown. This technique started from just a single case in Oldham, England, and has enabled the birth of over 10 million babies all over the world since then.
The path of those undergoing infertility treatment is not easy; it includes various shots, wait times, disillusionment, optimism, and starting all over again. For every child who was born thanks to IVF, there are couples and people who went through hardships before the success became possible.
The purpose of this day is to recognize all those hardships. It also seeks to remind anyone who is facing such hardships now that the science is better than ever, support is available as never before, and pursuing the journey is worth it no matter how it looks like.
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References
World Health Organisation [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2023 [cited 2026 Jul 09]. Infertility: key facts. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility
Apollo 247 [Internet]. Chennai: Apollo Hospitals; 2026 [cited 2026 Jul 09]. World IVF Day: history, meaning, facts and support. Available from: https://www.apollo247.com/health-topics/infertility/world-ivf-day-history-meaning-facts-support
9M Fertility [Internet]. Hyderabad: 9M Fertility; 2026 Jul [cited 2026 Jul 09]. World IVF Day 2026: everything you need to know about IVF. Available from: https://www.9mfertility.com/blog/world-ivf-day-2026-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ivf/
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and awareness purposes only. IVF success rates, costs, and treatment protocols vary by individual, centre, and specific diagnosis. Always consult a qualified fertility specialist or reproductive endocrinologist for personalised medical advice.
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